Juan Rios, D.S.W., LCSW

Juan A. Rios is a nationally recognized mental health expert, policy advisor, and clinical practitioner whose work spans youth mental health, gun violence prevention, and ethical technology integration. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Rutgers University, and founding faculty at the Institute for Data Research and Innovation Science (IDRIS), Dr. Rios brings a uniquely actionable and research-informed lens to complex public health issues. A first generation college graduate raised in New Haven, Connecticut, his lived experience with community violence drives his passion for shaping policy that transforms lives and communities.

With over 17 years of clinical experience as a trauma-informed psychotherapist, Dr. Rios merges frontline insight with systems-level leadership. He has served as a consultant to multiple local and statewide initiatives in New Jersey, collaborating with public health officials, city governments, and violence prevention coalitions to develop policy solutions grounded in behavioral health science and community engagement. A former Fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Leadership Institute, Dr. Rios leads the RIOS Research Lab, where his work integrates data science, digital health tools, and mindfulness-based interventions to address the upstream causes of youth distress and community instability. He is also a founding member of the Social Work Health Futures Lab, focused on aligning future oriented thinking with actionable health policy.

Dr. Rios has received numerous honors, including Seton Hall University’s Faculty Innovation in Teaching Award and the Janine Bruckner Community-Engaged Service Award. He holds a BSW from Southern Connecticut State University. an MSW and DSW from Rutgers University. As a frequent speaker and published author, Dr. Rios is a trusted voice in translating mental health innovation into scalable, public policy that enhances safety, resilience, and wellness.